Monday, August 11, 2014

And the prayers

Apropos yesterday’s post, two prayers from the Anglican
Book of Common Prayer also have recently shaped my prayers for the Church in
troubled spots.

From the collect assigned to “Proper 13” (Sunday, August
3), note the highlighted portion especially:

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot
continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

And the prayer that ends morning devotions:

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new
day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be
overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of
your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sadly, it took me a couple of days into last week,
praying the first collect, before I made the connection to praying it on behalf
of the persecuted church. I find I can no longer pray the daily morning prayer routinely.
I will not take for granted that I have
been brought safely to any new day; and I pray that the church in Iraq will
also be safe, and preserved, and overcome.